Diversity Hiring Fueling Tech Innovation

Around the world, women and people of color rely on tech gadgets that have sprung primarily from the minds of white men—but that’s about to change.

As the Cherokee Nation works to preserve its vibrant culture, one of its goals is to save its language. Like most Native American tongues, the Cherokee language is at risk of extinction as fluent speakers enter old age and the younger generation learns mainly English.

A unique partnership with Microsoft may very well turn the tide. “Our Native American Employee Network Group here at Microsoft and a Cherokee Nation team worked for over two years to get the language and a font to be included as one of the 109 worldwide languages supported in our Office software,” says Gwen Houston, general manager of global diversity and inclusion at Microsoft. “That’s a wonderful partnership for us, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, which has such a rich history of Native American culture.” Like all kids, young Cherokees have embraced technology, so the Cherokee Nation will now have software to help ensure the preservation of its language for generations to come.

Tech companies are seeing that diverse employees can shed light on the needs of their own communities—and that understanding ultimately leads to more useful products. “The diversity of our workforce is a real strength for us,” Houston says. “It gives us the opportunity to pioneer the inventions that the world needs and to create products that consumers around the world want.”

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Women in TechnologyInternational with a global network of smart, talented women and a market reach exceeding 2 million, WITI has powerful programs and partnerships that provide connections, resources, opportunities and a supportive environment of women committed to helping each other. Along with its professional association of Networks throughout the U.S. and worldwide, including Hong Kong, Great Britain, Australia, and Mexico, WITI delivers value for individuals that work for a company, the government or academia, as well as small business owners.

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The American Association of people with Disabilities (AAPD) works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

EmpleosAmigo.com is the job seeker’s friend in the world of online job searches. It is fast, easy and extremely helpful to anyone looking for that next great job. EmpleosAmigo.com is a 100% Hispanic-owned site committed to empowering Hispanics so that they can follow their passions and develop skills doing something they love, which is the path to professional success and personal happiness. EmpleosAmigo.com is part of Canava Communications Group, a leading Hispanic Consulting company with more than 50 years of combined experience in media and the U.S. Hispanic market.

Since 1892, the AFRO American Newspapers have been one of the most trusted news sources serving the Black communities in the nation's capital, Baltimore, and across the nation. Connect to our diverse group of readers today by posting your jobs to our site.

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